TDN RISING STARS

June 4, 2014 - Belmont Park, Race 8, Alw, USD $77,000, 6f, NW1$X

Rock Fall, c, 3, 2011 by Speightstown

1st Dam: Renda (MSW & GSP, $160,593), by Medaglia d'Oro
2nd Dam: Ten Carats, by Capote
3rd Dam: Miss Waikiki, by Miswaki

Owner: Stonestreet Stables LLC
Breeder: SF Bloodstock (KY)
Trainer: Todd A Pletcher

Rock Fall was bet into 55 cents on the dollar to show that a 9 1/4-length maiden-breaker in an off-the-turfer at Belmont May 11 was no fluke, and he did just that. He entered the latter test with a little something to prove after failing to lift a hoof and finishing a distant eighth in his Apr. 12 bow down at Gulfstream Park, an effort which confounds connections to this day. "I don't know what happened first time out, for some reason he just didn't run at all," commented John Moynihan, bloodstock advisor to owner Barbara Banke. "But he ran [yesterday] like we thought he would the first time." He certainly did. Unlike his last start, where he was allowed to set a soft pace and took his five other rivals coast to coast, Rock Fall was beaten for speed this time, but settled kindly for Javier Castellano in third behind dueling pacesetters. The colt eased into contention three wide at the head of the stretch, then showed an uncommon burst of speed to put a distance between him and his pursuers. "He had a good trip, but when he made his move, it was over in a matter of strides," Moynihan offered. "You can't run much faster than he did being eased the last little bit." Indeed, Castellano dropped anchor in the final half-furlong, allowing Real Estate Rich (Horse Greeley) to close to within 3 1/4 lengths at the wire, but that tells none of the story behind a breathtaking performance. "He's very impressive, he's a fast, fast, fast, fast horse and we're very excited," Moynihan continued. "Todd thought he was going to be a top 2-year-old last year, but we were derailed by injuries. But this year, with the exception of that first start where we still don't know what happened, he's been nothing short of spectacular." From here it'll be one day at a time, according to Moynihan. "We're going to take it day by day and let Todd take it from there. We're glad he's doing as well as he's doing. He's a beautiful horse and a beautifully bred horse. Speightstown is a great sire and we're really excited about him." Rock Fall is the first produce for his dam, a dual stakes-winning member of her sire's first crop who was purchased for $130,000 carrying this colt in utero at Keeneland November in 2010. Renda is also the dam of an unraced 2-year-old colt by Super Saver named Coup d'Oeil and a yearling filly by Sidney's Candy. Keeping the WinStar theme intact, the 8-year-old was represented this breeding season by a Bodemeister filly. Sales history: $250,000 yrl '12 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $91,590.